Wheeled bag with hinged opening

ABSTRACT

A luggage bag has a wide mouth construction with reinforced back and bottom panels and a telescoping handle and wheels integrated into the reinforced back panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a “hinged,, wide mouth” type bag or case with wheels attached along the bottom side and a telescoping handle.

[0002] Various types of carry-on bags are utilized for airline and other travel. Typically, such travel bags include a telescoping handle and wheels. Wheeled bags are also available for other purposes, including, for example, workers' tools.

[0003] A type of bag which is popular with workers and travelers, as well as professional people, is termed a hinged, wide mouth bag. A hinged, wide mouth bag typically includes flexible or semi-rigid front and back panels which are accurate, or curved, one toward the other in the closed position. The curved front and back panels have opposed, top closure edges which are hinged together at each side of the bag and fasten together by a zipper, for example. Side panels are flexible and unfold to enable the closure edges of the front and back panels to fully open and expose the contents of the bag.

[0004] Heretofore, utilization of a hinged, wide mouth bag with a wheeled, telescoping handle construction has not been known to be available. Thus, there has developed a need for a bag of the type typically known as a hinged, wide mouth bag which has additional capabilities for transport, including wheels and a telescoping handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, the present invention comprises a luggage bag in the form of a hinged, wide mouth bag which includes front and back panels that are joined together along their top edge or margin by a fastening mechanism, such as a zipper, and wherein the back panel includes a lower, flat planar, vertical section and an arcuate top section with a stiffening, or reinforcing, panel incorporated therein. A bottom panel of the bag also includes a reinforcing member or element which is connected to the back panel reinforcing element. A telescoping handle is attached to the inside of the lower flat, rigid back panel section and projects upwardly through the rigid arcuate section of the back panel. Wheels are attached at the junction of the rigid reinforcing panels. The bag further includes side panels which fold along their top edge and connect the edges of the front and back panels via a hinge. The bag or case thus has a hinged, wide mouth configuration with a telescoping handle, wheels, a rigid and reinforced back panel and bottom panel, a soft or flexible front panel, and flexible side panels.

[0006] Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a wheeled, hinged, wide mouth type bag.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinged, wide mouth bag which incorporates a reinforced bottom and back panel wherein the back panel includes an arcuate section defining, in part, the mouth or access opening to the bag.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a hinged, wide mouth bag which includes insertable sleeves or containers that may be placed in and retained in the bag.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a bag having a hinged, wide mouth configuration which may be used in a number of environments including use by those who wish to carry office and business equipment such as a computer, a cell phone and the like, as well as tradesmen who wish to use such a bag for transport of tools and the like.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing, yet highly functional, easily transportable, rugged and efficient hinged, wide mouth bag mounted on wheels with a telescoping handle.

[0011] These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0012] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the front side of a first embodiment of the bag of the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a rear or back side isometric view of the bag of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the bag of FIG. 1 wherein the main opening for the bag has been opened to reveal the contents of the bag and some ancillary features of the bag;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the reinforcing panels associated with the bag of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the bag;

[0018]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another alternative embodiment designed to transport tools; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative reinforcing panel construction for the bag of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to the figures, and in particular FIGS. 1-4, the luggage bag, or case, of the invention, comprises a hinged, wide mouth bag having a front panel 10 and a back panel 12. The front panel 10 and back panel 12 are substantially mirror images of one another. The front panel 10 thus includes a lower margin or edge 14 and an upper margin or edge 16. Similarly, the back panel includes a lower margin or edge 18 and an upper margin or edge 20. The lower margins 14 and 18 are generally parallel and are spaced one from the other on opposite sides 23, 25 of a bottom panel 22. The bottom panel 22 is a generally rectangular panel having opposite ends 24 14 and 18 are generally parallel and are spaced one from the other on opposite sides 23, 25 of a bottom panel 22. The bottom panel 22 is a generally rectangular panel having opposite ends 24 and 26 connecting sides or side edges 23, 25.

[0021] The front panel 10 is made from a flexible fabric material and has a generally arcuate or curved configuration from top to bottom when the bag is closed. That is, the front panel 10 includes a first generally vertical section 30 and a second connected extending arcuate section 32 when closed. The front panel 10 and back panel 12 are joined together by the side panels 40 and 44. Side panels 40, 44 generally have a uniform width from top to bottom. A zipper or fastener, such as zipper 46, connects the top margins 16 and 20 from the front panel 10 and back panel 12 as well as the top edges of side panels 40, 44 in a manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art to form what is known as a hinged, wide mouth bag. Thus, when the top edges 14, 16 are connected, the upper ends or edges of each side panel 40, 44 form a fold or tuck to facilitate closure and edges 14, 16 are joined or hinged together. When the top edges 14, 16 are open, the folded material of the side panels 40, 44 unfolds to permit full access to the contents of the bag.

[0022] The invention particularly relates to the modification of a hinged, wide mouth bag to incorporate a telescoping handle, wheels, and other features. Thus, the bottom panel 22 includes a second reinforcing panel 50 in FIG. 4 which is incorporated in one manner or the other into the bottom panel 22. Further, a first reinforcing panel 52 is incorporated into the back panel 12. The first reinforcing panel 52 includes a generally vertical section 54 and an arcuate section 56 which extends upwardly from the vertical section 54 and inwardly toward the front panel 10. The reinforcing panels 50 and 52 may be integrated into the inside of the bottom panel 22 and back panel 12, respectively, or otherwise incorporated so as to provide a reinforcing or stiffening feature for the bag.

[0023] A telescoping handle housing including a tube 60 and a parallel tube 62 are fastened to the first panel 52 and project vertically through openings 66 and 68 formed in the first reinforcing panel 52, and, more particularly, in the arcuate section 56 thereof, as well as in the back panel 12. In this manner, the telescoping handle 70 may be incorporated with, and included as part of, the bag, even though the back panel 12 is a continuous panel that extends upwardly and is curved arcuately forward to provide a hinged, wide mouth construction. Wheels 76 and 78 may then be mounted at the corners of the bag on the back panel 12. In this manner, the hinged, wide mouth bag will have, in essence, a rigid, reinforced back panel 12 and rigid, reinforced bottom panel 22 with a telescoping handle 70 fitted through a portion of the back panel 12. Wheels 76 and 78 are provided and mounted on the back panel 12 for ease of transport of the bag. The hinged, wide mouth feature is, however, preserved inasmuch as the upper margin 20 and upper margin 16 are positioned toward the forward or front side panel 10. Note tube 60 is retained in bracket 61 and tube 62 is retained in bracket 63 molded in panel 50.

[0024] Opening of the fastener or zipper 46 will enable the contents of the bag to be accessed as depicted in FIG. 3. Thus, the margin 16 of the flexible front panel 10 can be opened extremely widely and access to the contents of the bag is easily revealed.

[0025] Incorporated within the bag then may be a sleeve or container, or case 80, attached by means of a fastener or zipper 82 which will hold, for example, a cell phone, a personal computer or the like. Various other components may be removably attached or inserted within the bag. In the embodiment depicted, the fastener 82 is attached to the back panel 12 on the inside of the bag. Because the back panel 12 is reinforced by the first reinforcing panel 52, it is possible to provide extra protection and security for the container or case 80 and its contents.

[0026] It is noted that the side panels 42 and 44 will have a dimension adjacent the upper margins 16 and 20 which enables a full opening of the bag as depicted in FIG. 3. Moreover, the side panels 42, 44, as well as the front panel 10, are all fabricated from a flexible fabric, leather, or similar material enabling full flexible opening of access to the interior of the bag. However, the back panel 12 has been reinforced and made generally rigid along with the bottom panel 22 thereby providing a foundation which will facilitate attachment of wheels as well as a telescoping handle.

[0027] Additional features are also depicted in FIG. 3. For example, a supplemental pouch 90 may be affixed to the front panel 10. A carrying handle 92 may be provided on front panel 10 for use in combination with a handle 94 attached to the back panel 12 as depicted in FIG. 2. A carrying strap 96 may be attached to the bag by means of fasteners such as fastener 98 in FIG. 2. The companion strap fastener 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for attachment of the strap 96.

[0028] An alternative construction is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the alternative construction, a pair of parallel fasteners or zippers 110 and 112 are provided for access to the interior of the bag. The use of a pair of fasteners 110 and 112 would enable provision of a pocket or sleeve associated with the fastener opening 110 and a larger access opening through the fastener opening 112.

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment designed to transport tools. Like parts have like numbers in the embodiment of FIG. 6. The embodiment for carrying tools may include various special pockets 120. This embodiment also includes hinged or joined edges 14, 16 which are assymetrically positioned relative to the side panels 40, 44. This feature of the hinge connection 17 for edges 14, 16 is at front panel 10 rather than midway between the front panel 10 and back panel 12.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative reinforcing assembly is depicted. A rigid polyethylene molded plastic board 150, having a vertical and upwardly extending section 152 and an arcuately curved forward section 154 defines back panel 150. The polyethylene board is molded or formed and includes a horizontal bottom panel 156 with a plywood reinforcement number 158 attached thereto and held thereon by aluminum brackets 160 and 162. A bracket 164 for telescoping handle tubes 166 and 168 is fastened or incorporated in the board or panel 150. Openings 170 and 172 are provided in the panels 150, 156 for wheels. The described board in FIG. 7 is then inserted or incorporated into the bottom and back panel of the hinged, wide mouth tool bag of FIG. 6. Thus FIG. 7 provides an alternative construction for reinforcement of the bottom and back panels of the hinged, wide mouth bag.

[0031] Thus, it can be seen that various combinations and permutations of fasteners and supplemental containers or cases may be used in combination with the bag as described. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage bag comprising, in combination: a bottom panel having a front edge, a back edge, and first and second connecting side edges; a front panel having a bottom margin, and a top margin, said bottom margin connected with the bottom panel front edge; a back panel having a bottom margin and a top margin, the bottom margin connected with the bottom panel back edge; first and second spaced, generally parallel side panels joined to the bottom, front and back panels; the top margin of the front panel and the top margin of the back panel connectable to enclose the bag; a first reinforcing panel for the back panel; said first reinforcing panel extending from the bottom margin arcuately upward and toward the front panel; a second reinforcing panel for the bottom panel joined to the first reinforcing panel along the bottom margin of the back panel; wheels attached to the bottom panel at the bottom margin of the back panel; a telescoping handle mounted to the first reinforcing panel and extending through the arcuate first reinforcing panel, whereby the back and front panels may be fastened together at their upper margin to enclose the bag.
 2. The bag of claim 1 further including at least one detachable and removable storage sleeve in the bag.
 3. The bag of claim 1 wherein the back panel upper margin and front panel upper margin are closed by a zipper.
 4. The bag of claim 1 wherein the front panel is flexible and the back panel is substantially rigid.
 5. The bag of claim 1 including an auxiliary pouch on the outside of the front panel.
 6. The bag of claim 1 wherein the back panel is a single continuous panel with a vertical section extending vertically upward from the bottom panel and a curved section extending from the vertical section arcuately toward the front panel, said back panel having a top margin including a fastener mechanism for attachment to the top margin of the front panel, and wherein the telescoping handle is held against the vertical section and projects through the back panel. 